§ Major MORRISON-BELLasked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give the number of Canadian cattle already imported, and if he has any information or estimate of the number likely to be imported in the near future?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe number of Canadian cattle landed in Great Britain since 1st April last is 1,943. The only information I have at present as to the number likely to be imported in the near future is that a cargo of 629 cattle is expected at Manchester on the 13th May.
Mr. W. A. JENKINSasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the 2407W report of the Medical Officer of Health for the Manchester port sanitary authority states that the first batch of Canadian cattle were not altogether free from pulmonary tuberculosis; and, that being so, will he take immediate steps to trace the cattle in question with a view to their isolation?
§ Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been directed to the report of Dr. Dearden, Medical Officer of Health for the Manchester port sanitary authority, wherein it is stated that the first batch of Canadian cattle were not altogether free from pulmonary tuberculosis; and whether any steps have been taken to trace the cattle in question with a view to their isolation?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe Report in question has been brought to my notice officially by the medical officer of health for the Manchester Port sanitary authority, but as I stated on Monday last in reply to the hon. and learned Member for Londonderry, the cattle referred to were described as "very healthy." I have no power to order the isolation of the cattle in question and I do not therefore see that any useful, purpose would be served by attempting to trace them. I would remind my hon. Friends that a notable proportion of the cattle of all countries are affected by tuberculosis and that it has been found possible to deal with tuberculosis in British cattle only within the narrow limits prescribed by Section 5 of the Milk and Dairies Amendment Act, 1922.
§ Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received any official notification of the report of the medical officer of health for the Manchester port sanitary authority that the first batch of Canadian cattle landed in this country were not altogether free from pulmonary tuberculosis; and whether it is intended to take any steps to trace the cattle in question with a view to their isolation?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the similar oral questions addressed to me to-day by the hon. Members for Lincoln (Mr. A. T. Davies) and Brecon (Mr. W. A. Jenkins).
§ Colonel M. ALEXANDERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is 2408W aware that the Canadian Government has agreed to a tubercular test on all Canadian cattle entering this country; and why the British Government is now trying to impose an additional milk-record test as well, which is contrary to the original agreement?
§ Sir R. SANDERSAs regards store cattle imported from Canada, no tuberculin test is imposed. The conditions regulating the import of breeding animals are now under discussion, and I am endeavouring to frame such Regulations as would confine the admission to the high grade stock to which alone the agreement with the Canadian representatives referred.